[Mrs. Don-o]

First, just a small correction of a factual nature: we know Peter had a mother-in-law, and therefore he had been married. Curiously, during the incident concerning the sick mother-in-law, there's no mention of the sick woman's daughter being there to care for her or being upset or concerned, or even being there to thank Jesus and to help her mother when she got up and began serving them --- and that would be Peter's wife, if she was still living.

Since there's no mention of Peter's wife anytime, anywhere, I think it's solidly probable that he was a widower.

Peter's situation as a widower is hinted at in this exchange at Mark 10:28-30

Then Peter spoke up, “We have left everything to follow you!”

“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel, will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields ---along with persecutions---and in the age to come eternal life."

Jesus, responding to Peter's concerns, highlights how he has left 'home, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children, fields' --- but doesn't mention leaving his wife.

I don't think at that point he had a wife to leave.

Most likely he was a widower -- And there was never any problem with a widower becoming a priest, bishop or pope.

---

Second thing: the idea that the Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholics don't have such problems? Don't kid yourself.

I said before, and I mean it, that I refuse to dig up dirt on other denominations. It's not my place.

But Jesus said the day will come when what is hidden will be shouted from the housetops. Some of it is revealed here; all of it will be revealed hereafter. Don't be surprised.

[Eagles6]

The vast majority of Catholic priests are fine men committed to their faith and aren't molesters.

Homosexuals have been infiltrating any and every organization where they have access to young people.

I don't know about the Russian Orthodox Church but I've seen stories about married Protestant pastors and rabbis so it isn't limited to Catholic priests.

That said, there is a homosexual cabal in the Catholic Church that needs to be eradicated.

Unfortunately our present Pope isn't going to be the one to do it.

I believe that it wasn't until the Middle Ages that priests were forbidden to marry so as Jan said it is not a Biblical edict.

I think allowing priests to marry and ordination of married men would also help alleviate the shortage of priests.

[Biggirl]

We will never truly know if Peter had a living wife until we are home with God.

[Biggirl]

Or “if” Peter was indeed a widower by the time he began to follow Jesus until we are home with God. Scripture is “silent”.